Vladimir Putin was greeted by boos and whistles when he stepped into the ring at a martial arts event in Moscow at the weekend.

The Russian prime minister appeared shocked by the unprecedented hostile reception in the run-up to a March presidential election. In video footage, fans can be heard shouting as Mr Putin is handed the microphone in the ring of Olympiysky Stadium.

Allen's son named as Rhodes Scholar

Ronan Farrow, the son of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, who works as a US state department special adviser on global youth issues, has been named a Rhodes Scholar.

Mr Farrow (23) a Yale Law School graduate, is one of 32 Rhodes Scholars representing the US announced by the Rhodes Trust at the weekend. The former child prodigy was accepted by Yale Law at 16.

Balls 'cries during antiques show'

Shadow UK Chancellor Ed Balls yesterday showed his softer side by revealing that he cries when he watches 'Antiques Roadshow'.

Other emotional triggers for the Labour MP, often seen as one of Parliament's biggest bruisers, include the film 'The Sound of Music'. Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has previously admitted to crying regularly to music.

Chef told limes were 'a weapon'

A catering chef was almost banned from buying two limes -- because she was told they could be a weapon.

Marisa Zoccolan (31) called to the Asda supermarket in Wallsend, North Tyneside, England, for the fruits. But as she was paying, a warning flashed on the till, and an assistant told her that more than one lime was a weapon -- because the citric acid could be squirted at someone. Asda said she had been the victim of a staff member's sense of humour, and a till problem .

Hirst's £50m skull in new UK display

Damien Hirst's diamond-encrusted human skull will be going on display in Britain for the first time since it was unveiled four years ago.

The £50m (€58m) 'For The Love Of God' artwork, which is covered by 8,601 flawless diamonds, will go on show at London's Tate Modern to coincide with the gallery's Hirst retrospective next year.